Keeping up With the Delegate

United Methodist Church General Conference 2008, Reflections From a Delgate
www.gc2008.umc.org         nmconferences2008.blogspot.com/

The United Methodist Church 2008 General Conference was held April 23-May 2, 2008 in Fort Worth, TX.  The Theme, 'A Future with Hope – Making Disciples for Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World' was appropriately accompanied by the sacramental table and alter table, which were made of wood from trees destroyed at a United Methodist retreat center damaged by Hurricane Katrina.  This General Conference marked the 40th anniversary of the union between the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church to form the United Methodist Church, which occurred in Dallas, TX.     

992 delegates (equal number of lay and clergy) from across the 11.5 million-member UM denomination reviewed 1,564 petitions, 2,500 pages of legislative materials, approved hundreds of varying alternations to the Book of Discipline (to be implemented in 2009) and the Book of Resolutions (to be implemented in 2009), as well as provisionally passed 23 constitutional amendments (pending 2/3rds approval by annual conference/s for final implementation and approval by the General Conference in 2012).  Each petition was assigned to one of 13 legislative committees (Ministry and High Education, Conferences, Discipleship, Superintendency, Church and Society I & II, General Administration, Faith and Order, Global Ministries, Financial Administration, Independent Commissions, Judicial Administration, Local Church) to perfect and recommend to the full body to accept/act, reject or refer.  The legislative committees and the full body gatherings were appropriately monitored for inclusiveness and reports were given daily.  Petitions received included, but were not limited to issues surrounding the world wide nature of the church, probationary membership (3-2 years, probationary to provisional), membership vows ('Witness' added), responsible stewardship ('Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can' – John Wesley), full connection with ELCA, hymnal revision, war, retirement age of bishops (65 to 68), environment, immigration, sexuality, membership with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (retained), and the mission of the church ('The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world').  A budget of $642 million dollars was passed, which calls for a 1.2 percent increase over each of the four years from 2009 to 2012 and focused, for the first time, on an outcome-based model shaped around the denominations four focus areas (see Focus Areas below).

The gathering included a wide assortment of presentations and worship services, such as the Episcopal address by Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher (focused on John Wesley's General Rules and the Seven Pathways, see below), the encouraging words of the first-ever Young People's Address presented by six young people from across the denomination (emphasizing the Guidelines for Holy Conferencing, see below) and Lyn Powell who spoke on the importance of lay leadership in the United Methodist Church.  A special address was given by the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who is a proud United Methodist and was joined by the Uganda Children's Choir, as well as a presentation given by William Gates Sr of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (UM partner in the Nothing But Nets campaign, celebrating $20 million dollars raised in 2-years and contributed an additional $5million dollars to the cause).  Celebratory worship services included daily communion services, celebration of the dissolution of the Central Jurisdiction, rural life ministries, The Advance 60th, General Commission on Religion and Race 40th, United Methodist Men Centennial, General Board of Pension and Health Benefits USA and the Social Creed Centennial.

Many additional opportunities were given for fellowship, exploration and brief bouts of relaxation.  The exhibit hall included the largest Cokebury book store I have ever visited, booths from the various UM General Boards and Agencies, a prayer room and massage chairs.  Although I was unable to partake in the many organized tours offered to spouses and visitors, I was able to enjoy the Ideas to Live By luncheon series offered the second week of conference sponsored by Cokesbury and other United Methodist publishing houses.  These luncheons offered not only nourishment for the body, but nourishment for the mind as well.  Speakers included Bishop Robert Schnase, UM Pastor Tyrone Gordon, Bishop Rueben Job, Bishop Scott Jones, UM pastor Adam Hamilton, UM Pastor Maxie Dunnam and Bishop William Willimon.  I found these luncheons to be inspiration and a welcomed hiatus from the General Conference legislative forum.
   
Following ten days of all that General Conference initials and two days of travel, First United Methodist Church in Albuquerque NM was a warm and welcomed sight.  I continue to be in awe of all that our church is and all our church does.  It is an honor, a privilege and a humbling experience to be able to serve the church as a lay delegate locally and internationally, and I look forward to many more years of leadership and service in the United Methodist Church.

Blessings,
Kelly Brooks

Four Focus Areas:
1) Engage in ministry with the poor
2) Global Health
3) Creating new places for new people and renewing existing congregations
4) Leadership development

John Wesley's General Rules as Modified to the Three Simple Rules:
1)    Do No Harm
2)    Do Good
3)    Stay in Love With God

Seven Pathways:
1) Develop new congregations
2) Transform existing congregations
3) Teach Wesleyan Model of Transforming Disciples of Jesus Christ
4) Strengthen Clergy and Lay Leadership
5) Reach and transform lives of new generations of children
6) Eliminate poverty in community with the poor
7) Expand racial and ethnic ministries


Guidelines for Holy Conferencing:
•    Every person is a child of God.  Always speak respectfully.  One can disagree without being disagreeable.
•    As you patiently listen and observe the behavior of others, be open to the possibility that God can change the views of any or all parties in the discussion.
•    Listen patiently before formulating responses.
•    Strive to understand the experiences out of which others have arrived at their views.
•    Be careful in how you express personal offense at differing opinions.  Otherwise dialogue may be inhibited.
•    Accurately reflect the views of others when speaking.  This is especially important when you disagree with that position.
•    Avoid using inflammatory words, derogatory names or an excited and angry voice.
•    Avoid making generalizations about individuals and groups.  Make your point with specific evidence and examples.
•    Make use of facilitators and mediators.
•    Remembers that people are defined, ultimately, by their relationship with God – not by the flaws we discover, or think we discover, in their views and actions.